MXPA00007161A - Terminal crimping quality decision method/device - Google Patents

Abstract

The terminal crimping quality decision method/device determines the crimping quality of a terminal crimped to a conductor of an electrical cable by a terminal crimping apparatus. The method uses an envelop of characteristic values obtained when the terminal is crimped to the conductor. The characteristic values are obtained by sensing the deflection of a construction member constituting the terminal crimping apparatus and deflected by a reaction force caused by the crimping.

Description

METHOD / QUALITY DECISION DEVICE FOR TERMINAL STIRRING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the invention The present invention relates to a terminal narrowing apparatus for a terminal equipped with an electrical cable that constitutes a wiring harness or the like, and a method / device for determining the quality of a terminal narrowing.

Related technique In a conventional terminal narrowing apparatus, a terminal is constricted in an electrical cable by narrowing a terminal narrowing barrel in a core of the electrical cable. The narrowing stage has the possibility of incorrect narrowing. Therefore, an incorrect narrowing detection device is provided to detect the incorrect narrowing of the terminal. This device, for example, samples characteristic values such as the loading of the terminal narrowing apparatus in a time sequence during the narrowing step, whereby a characteristic value envelope is obtained. The characteristic value envelope is compared to a reference value envelope preliminarily obtained from an acceptable narrowed terminal product to determine the acceptance or rejection of the tapered terminal. That is, for example as shown in Figure 20, the acceptance or rejection of the tapered terminal is determined based on the difference between the reference value envelope and the characteristic value envelope of the tapered terminal, because a characteristic value which varies in time such that a load of the constricting apparatus is different between a normal narrowing state and a state of incorrect narrowing of the terminal. However, since the conventional terminal narrowing apparatus senses a load for narrowing as a constricting feature, a costly device such as a load cell or a pressure sensor to obtain the load is disadvantageously required. In addition, it is difficult to perform a new assembly of a load cell or a pressure sensor in an existing terminal narrowing apparatus that does not have such a device. Therefore, the existing terminal narrowing apparatus presents a problem that an acceptance / rejection decision for a narrowed product can not be easily made.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to enable an acceptance / rejection decision to be made for a narrowed terminal in terms of quality by detecting a characteristic value of the tapering process without preparing an expensive device such as a load cell or a pressure sensor. In addition, an existing terminal narrowing apparatus allows such decisions with a small modification thereof. To obtain the objective, a terminal narrowing quality decision method, according to a first aspect of the present invention, determines the quality of narrowing of a terminal which is constricted to a conductor of an electrical cable by an apparatus of terminal narrowing. The method uses an envelope of characteristic values obtained when the terminal is narrowed to the conductor. The characteristic values are obtained by detecting the deflection of the construction member constituting the terminal narrowing apparatus and bending by a reaction force caused by the constriction. The terminal narrowing quality deciding device, according to a second aspect of the invention, determines the quality of narrowing of a terminal which is constricted to a conductor of an electrical cable by a terminal narrowing apparatus. The device uses an envelope of characteristic values obtained when the terminal narrows to the conductor. The device has a characteristic value detector means to detect the characteristic values, and the characteristic values are obtained by detecting the deflection of a construction member constituting the terminal narrowing apparatus, and which is bent by a reaction force caused by the constriction. In the terminal narrowing quality decision method / device of the first or second aspect of the invention, the characteristic is a deflection value of a construction member, such as a ram or a frame constituting the terminal narrowing apparatus. . This allows an acceptance / rejection decision to be made for a narrowed terminal in terms of quality by detecting the features without preparing an expensive device such as a load cell or a pressure sensor. In addition, an existing terminal narrowing apparatus allows such decisions with a small modification thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a front view showing a terminal narrowing apparatus, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view showing the terminal narrowing apparatus; Figure 3 is a view illustrating a state in which a position detecting device is provided, in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an incorrect narrowing detection device B, in relation to the mode; Figures 5A, 5B are each, a graph of a reference value envelope or a wrapping envelope of the reference value, according to the present invention, the graphs show some singular points of the value envelope reference; Figures 6A to 6E are sectional views showing a gatherer, an anvil, a barrel of narrowing of a terminal, and core wires in a step of narrowing the mode; Figures 7A, 7B are each, a graph relating to the mode and showing a characteristic value envelope corresponding to an incorrectly tapered terminal, in which the singular points of the reference value envelope are indicated; Figure 8 is a graph related to the modality and showing a relationship envelope obtained by an acceptable product, the graph also shows a plurality of threshold lines; Figure 9 is a graph related to the modality and showing a relationship envelope corresponding to an unacceptable product in which a third of the barrel's length of narrowing of the terminal impinges through an insulation of an associated cable, the graph also shows a plurality of threshold lines; Figure 10 is a graph related to the modality and showing a relationship envelope corresponding to an unacceptable product in which half the length of the narrowed barrel of the terminal impinges through an insulation of an associated cable, the graph also shows a plurality of threshold lines; Figure 11 is a graph related to the mode and showing a relationship envelope corresponding to an unacceptable product in which the one to seventh numbers of core wires of a cable are cut out, the graph also shows a plurality of threshold lines; Figure 12 is a graph related to the modality and showing a relationship wrap corresponding to an unacceptable product in which one third of the length of the narrowing barrel of a terminal does not have core wires to be constricted, the graph also shows a plurality of threshold lines; Figure 13 is a graph relating to the modality for displaying an envelope of increment of characteristic values obtained when a barrel of constriction or a nip of nip is in an undesirable state, the graph also shows a plurality of singular points e; Figure 14 is a flowchart of a program for presenting modality decision criteria; Figure 15 is a flowchart of a modality terminal narrowing quality decision program; Figures 16A to 16C are each, a graph showing the printing of the relationship envelopes for pre-setting of decision criteria of the modality; Fig. 17 is a general diagrammatic illustration showing a network system including a plurality of incorrect narrowing detection devices and a mode processing computer; Figure 18 is a graph showing wrappers of reference value, each corresponds to a new tapping punch or an old one for comparison thereof; Figure 19 is a diagrammatic view showing a constitution for detecting a deflection of a frame of a terminal narrowing apparatus in the modality; Figure 20 is a graph showing characteristic value envelopes, each related to a correct narrowing state or an incorrect narrowing state for comparison thereof; Figure 21A is a view showing an incorrect narrowed state, in which an insulation layer of a cable is destroyed and Figure 21B is a graph to show the difference between a reference value envelope and a characteristic value envelope; Figure 22A is a view showing an incorrect narrowed state in which there are no wires which are narrowed, and Figure 22B is a graph to show a difference between a reference value envelope and a value envelope of a state of incorrect narrowing; and Figure 23A is a view of an incorrect narrowed state in which some of the core wires to be constricted have been cut and removed, and Figure 23B is a graph to show the difference between a reference value envelope and a value wrap characteristic of the incorrect narrowed state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY With reference to the accompanying drawings, one embodiment of the present invention will be discussed in Figure 1 which is a front view showing a terminal narrowing apparatus, in accordance with the present invention. Figure 2 is a side view showing the terminal narrowing apparatus. In the drawing, it indicates with the number 1 a cover of a terminal narrowing apparatus A. The cover has a base plate 2 and each side plate 3, 3 rises from the base plate 2. In a rearward position from the upper parts of the side plates 3, 3, a servomotor 4 is fitted having a reduction gear 5 which is fixed to the cover. The reduction gear 5 has an output arrow 6 coupled with a circular plate 7 having an off-center bolt (crankshaft) 8. The offset bolt 8 engages with a sliding block 9. The sliding block 9 is placed between a pair of top and bottom retainers 10 and 10 ', placed on a ram 11, so that rotation of the circular plate 7 moves the sliding block 9 in a horizontal direction between the retainers 10, 10. 'to move the ram 11 vertically. The ram 11 can be slid vertically between a pair of ram guides 12, 12, each provided with an interior surface of each of the side plates 3, 3. The circular plate 7, the sliding block 9, the retainers 10, 10 J the ram 11 and the ram guides 12, 12 constitute a piston and crank mechanism. The ram 11 has a concave coupling 13 at the lower end thereof. The concave part 13 removably receives a convex portion 16 of a shirring retainer 15 that retains a shirring (tapping punch) 14. Opposite shirring 14, an anvil 17 is provided under the shirring 14. The anvil 17 is fixed to an anvil mounting plate 24 mounted on the base plate 2. As illustrated in Figure 3, the ram 11 is formed with a horizontal notch a which defines a lower body HA, an upper body 11B, and a connecting portion 11c to provide resiliency to the ram 11. This resilient ram 11 allows a vertical deflection thereof in response to a load exerted on the ram 11. That is, the lower body HA bends toward the upper body 11B (in the directions shown by the arrowhe. The upper body 11B has a position detecting device 100 placed therein. The sensing device 100 has a probe 100 that contacts the upper surface 11A-1 of the lower HA body, and the position detecting device 100 is connected to an incorrect narrowing detection device B. The incorrect narrowing sensing device B receives an output signal from the position detecting device 100 to calculate a narrowing stroke distance (i.e., the amount of deflection of the ram 11) of the lower HA body. The calculated narrowing stroke distance is used as a characteristic value obtained during the narrowing step.

In Fig. 1, indicated with the numeral 18 is a terminal supply unit of a known constitution, which is a terminal guide 19 supporting a chain of terminals (not shown), a terminal cover 20, an arm 22 terminal feed having a feeding shank 21 at the front end thereof, an oscillating hinge 23 which moves the arm 22 forward and backward, etc. The oscillating link 23 oscillates back and forth in response to an up and down movement of the ram 11, so that the terminal feeding shank 21 feeds the terminals (not shown) one at a time onto the anvil 17. anvil 17 can be easily moved by means of a handle 25 that is provided in the anvil placement plate 24 to adjust the alignment with the gatherer 14. In addition, the anvil 17 is removed and easily replaced. The servomotor 4 can rotate forward and backward to move the ram 11, that is, the gatherer 14 downwards and upwards, through the piston and crank mechanism. The servo motor 4 is electrically connected to an impeller 32 to control the rotation of the motor 4. The up and down movement of the gatherer 14 narrows a terminal on an electric cable between the gatherer 14 and the anvil 17. The impeller 32 is connected electrically to a reference data entry section 33 to receive reference data such as the terminal (or size) ification, the size of an associated electric wire, a narrowing height, and a load (electric current) applied to the servomotor 4. The servomotor 4 has an output arrow (not shown) placed with an encoder 31 which detects the rotation number of the motor to know the position of the gatherer 14, which is fed back to the impeller 32. Figure 4 is a diagram of blocks of an incorrect narrowing detection device B in relation to the embodiment of the present invention. The incorrect narrowing detection device B has an amplifier 41 for amplifying an output signal from the position detection device 100, an A / D converter 42 for converting an analog voltage signal output from the amplifier 41 to digital voltage data, an input section 43, a CPU 44, a ROM 45, a RAM 46, a display section 47 and a communication interface 48. The input section 43, the CPU 44, the ROM 45, the RAM 46, the display section 47 and the communication interface 48 constitute a microcomputer. The CPU 44 uses a work area of the RAM 46 to control, according to a control program stored in the ROM 45. More ifically, the CPU 44 samples the run distance data of the shirder, which is obtained by means of the position detector device 100 and are supplied through the converter 42A / D as a characteristic value of the narrowing process. Furthermore, based on the sampled characteristics, the CPU 44 performs processes such as the generation of a reference value envelope, a calculation of a singular point the reference value envelope, the input of a threshold (or a threshold line) and the allowance or tolerance of the threshold, the decision of an incorrect narrowing and the detection of a state of frictional wear of the narrowing dies (gathers 14 and anvil 17). The results of the process are indicated in section 47 of the screen or exhibition. During the narrowing step of the terminal, the characteristics of the runner distance data of the gatherer such as the characteristic value envelope, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, are obtained from the position detecting device 100. The characteristic value envelope of Fig. 5A is a shell that is obtained when a terminal is properly constricted. A plurality of such value wrappers of correctly constricted terminals are stored in RAM 46 in a predetermined format. Meanwhile, the converter 42A / D transmits converted digital data to each predetermined conversion cycle, so that the CPU 44, for example, can sample the characteristic data in time sequence, according to the digital data output synchronization. converted. The characteristic value wrap data may be stored in sequence in time in the RAM 46. For example, an average of the plurality of value wrappers of the narrowed terminals is normally obtained to provide data of a reference value envelope in RAM 46. In the following discussion, the characteristic value envelope illustrated in Figure 5A is described as a reference value envelope. further, the term of a characteristic value envelope is used for a correctly constricted terminal and also for an incorrectly tapered terminal, and the term of a reference value envelope is used for an envelope which is obtained from a value envelope characteristic of a properly constricted terminal. From the data of a reference value envelope as illustrated in FIG. 5A, the CPU 44 calculates an increment envelope as a time function with respect to the reference value envelope to obtain an increment envelope, as shown in FIG. illustrated in Figure 5B. Then, with respect to the increment envelope, the end points are found and a cross point is zero, (on a time axis). These points are singular points in a terminal narrowing stage which are indicated as points A, B, C, and D in Figure 5B. The increment envelope has endpoints different from the four points. However, each of the four points is related to a specific event in a terminal tightening cycle, as described below, so that the four points can easily be recognized in the increment envelope.

Figures 6A to 6E are sectional views each illustrating the gatherer 14, the anvil 17, a barrel 50 for tapering a terminal and core wires 60 in a tapering step. For a clear view of each of the figures, a section indicated by shading has been partially omitted. Figures 6A to 6D show each a narrowing state corresponding to each of the four singular points, and Figure 6E shows an initial state just before the narrowing. The four singular points are discussed as follows: Point A: a point at which the constricting force varies from an increase zone to a decrease zone during a step where an upper interior curved surface of a shirr 14 bends at the 50 narrowing barrel, as illustrated in Figure 6A. Point B: a point at which the constricting force again varies to an area of increase as the barrel 50 of constriction begins to contact against the core wires 60, as illustrated in Figure 6B. Point C: a point at which the constricting force again varies from an increase zone to a decrease zone during a step where the narrowing barrel 50 narrows the core wires 60, as illustrated in Figure 6C.

Point D: a point at which the constricting force reaches a peak since the narrowing barrel 50 has completely tapered the core wires 60, as illustrated in Figure 6D. The reference value envelope with its increment envelope can be handled as time sequence data in the same manner as the characteristic value envelope of the narrowed terminal. In addition, the positions of the singular points mentioned above can be stored as synchronization point data in relation to the time sequence data. Then, a reference value envelope is divided between the singular points to preset three divisions between the points A, B, between the points B, C and between the points C, D. Within each of these three divisions, it is provided a correct / incorrect narrowing decision based on the characteristic value envelope. Since the decision is provided in each division, a correct / incorrect narrowing (an acceptable / unacceptable product) can be reliably determined based on the characteristic value envelope of each division. For example, a state of incorrect constriction, in which the terminal collides through the insulation layer of an electric cable, provides a characteristic value envelope that is larger than the reference value envelope between points A, B and between points B, C. Meanwhile, the incorrect narrowing state provides a characteristic value envelope that is smaller than the reference value envelope between the points C, D, as illustrated in Figure 7A. On the contrary, another state of incorrect narrowing, in which all or several core wires have been cut at the narrow end of an electric cable, provides a characteristic value envelope with no difference of the reference value envelope between the points A, B. Meanwhile, the other state of incorrect narrowing provides a characteristic value envelope that is smaller than the reference value envelope between points B, C and between points C, D, as illustrated in the figure 7B. Therefore, the analysis of the characteristic value envelope in each division separated by the singular points, can find a specific operation of each incorrect narrowing, improving the decision regarding quality. In addition, as illustrated in Figures 7A and 7B, the point D can be replaced by a mechanical bottom dead center of the piston and crank mechanism. However, point D is defined as a singular point in the following discussion. In each of the divisions between points A, B, between points B, C, and between points C, D, a correct / incorrect narrowing decision is made based on the characteristic value envelope. A correct / incorrect narrowing decision is made based on a part of the characteristic value envelope which is substantially earlier than the peak (point D). The characteristics of the narrowed terminal can be sampled only in the anterior part (between points A, D). The RAM 46 can store the sampled characteristics data with a smaller range than when the entire feature value envelope is applied and the RAM 46 has a limited capacity. This is advantageous for the decision regarding quality. Meanwhile, if the sampling interval is the same as when all characteristic value envelopes are applied, a smaller number of sample data can be stored. Next, a method of detecting incorrect narrowing of each division established earlier will be discussed. First, a characteristic value is sampled at a sample point of a characteristic value envelope obtained and a reference value is sampled at the same sampling point with respect to the reference value envelope. A difference between the characteristic value and the reference value is calculated. A relation of the difference with respect to the reference value is defined as the first relation. The first relation is a percentage value more or less and is less when the reference value is larger than the characteristic value. The first ratio is calculated at a plurality of sampling points, and the calculated ratios are stored in RAM 46.

'Meanwhile, each division is provided with a predetermined threshold line of the first relation. In each division, it is determined if the absolute value of the first relation is larger than the threshold line. Subsequently, the number of sampling points is counted, in which the absolute value of the first relation is larger than the threshold line. Each such sampling point is referred to as an abnormal potential point in the following. Meanwhile, the number of all sampling points in the division is determined based on the division interval. In each division, a ratio of the number of abnormal potential points to the number of all sampled points to be defined as a second relation is calculated. Then, the second relation is compared with a predetermined permissible limit which is a threshold percentage threshold (e.g. 50%). When the second ratio is greater than the allowable limit in at least one of the divisions, it is determined that the narrowing has been incorrect. The threshold line is predetermined by referring to the first relationships in the various classes of terminals improperly constricted, and the allowable limit is determined in consideration of the threshold line. Then, with reference to figures 8 to 12, the presetting of the threshold line which is a decision criterion of each division will be discussed. The time sequence data of the first ratios are each obtained at each sampling point of the wrapping 'of characteristic value which provides a wrapping, as illustrated in Figs. 8 to 12. Fig. 8 shows a wrapping of a product. acceptable, and Figure 9 shows a wrap of an unacceptable product, in which one third of the length of the narrowing barrel strikes through the insulation. Figure 10 shows an unacceptable product wrap, in which half the length of the narrowing barrel strikes through the insulation. Figure 11 shows a wrapping of an unacceptable product, in which a seventh of the core wires in number have been undesirably cut. Figure 12 shows an unacceptable product wrap, in which one third of the length of the constricting barrel does not have core wires to be extracted therein. Such envelopes of the first relations appear generally on the sides more and less of the coordinate thereof. With respect to an unacceptably narrowed terminal, the first relationship envelope appears mainly on the plus side between points A, B as illustrated in Figures 9, 10. Between points B, C, the first relationship envelope appears on the side more, as illustrated in Figures 9, 10 or on the minus side, as illustrated in Figures 11, 12. Between points C, D, the first relationship envelope appears mainly on the minus side, as illustrated in FIG. Figures 10, 12.

Therefore, there is a first pre-established threshold line on the plus side of the first ratio coordinate between points A, B, a pair of second threshold lines on the plus or minus side, between points B, C and a third line threshold on the minus side, between points C, D. The first to third threshold lines are applied to the associated division of the first relationship envelope, allowing a reliable decision of almost all kinds of incorrect narrowing of the terminals. In addition, the combination of incorrect decisions in divisions can recognize the cause or nature of a rejected product. Note that the envelope mentioned before a relation is called a "relationship envelope" in the following. A method for pre-establishing threshold lines mentioned above will be discussed in the following. An incorrect narrowing detection device B executes a control program which samples narrowing data with respect to a plurality of narrowed terminals having the same incorrect condition to obtain the relative wrapping thereof. The relationship wrappers are superimposed on each other to be plotted on a single graph. These apply to an acceptable product and to the classes mentioned before unacceptable products, for example, to obtain printed results shown in Figures 16A to 16C. Figure 16A shows wrapping envelopes of the three unacceptable narrowed terminal products. Figure 16B shows relationship wraps of the three unacceptable narrowed terminals which strike through the cable insulation layers. Figure 16C shows unacceptable three-neck constricting relationship envelopes which do not have wires to be constricted. The control program also shows data from the relationship wrappers different from those illustrated in Figures 16A to 16C. Thus, a threshold of each division is determined by referring to the printed graphics in consideration of a permissible limit of predetermined percentage (for example 50%). Note that such a threshold can be preset automatically by applying a statistical or similar technical calculation to the relationship envelope data. Note that an analysis of a graph that shows the envelope of increment of the envelope of characteristic value and the singular points of the same can evaluate the barrels of narrowing of terminal, the dies of narrowing and the combination of the same so that they are of design satisfactory. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, a better design of the barrels and the dies provides an envelope having a comparatively uniform profile with clear singular points A, B and C. On the contrary, an undesirable state of the narrowing barrels and the narrowing dies provides several undesirable peaks and valleys around the points A, B, for example, as illustrated in Figure 13. Each of Figures 14 and 15 shows a flow diagram of a control program used in the incorrect narrowing detection device B. The flow chart of Figure 14 is from a decision criteria presetting program, and the flow chart of Figure 15 is a terminal narrowing quality decision program. The incorrect narrowing detection device B has a main flow program (not shown) for selecting any of the detection device B operation modes. For example, the selection of a preset mode of selection criteria which is a mode of operation carried out before a real narrowing (production) job executes the pre-setting program of the decision criteria, and the selection of a mode of terminal narrowing quality decision, which is a mode of operation for a terminal narrowing job executes the terminal narrowing quality decision program. First, the decision criterion pre-setting program of Figure 14 is started, and a step Sil executes the reading of the reference value envelope data. The reference value envelope data is obtained, for example, by averaging characteristic values of each sampling point with respect to the characteristic value envelopes of a plurality of acceptable products. The RAM 46 stores the reference value envelope data. A subsequent step S12 is performed which constitutes a constriction test in a predetermined state (a typical incorrect or correct state) and the characteristic data of the samples for storage in the RAM 46. A subsequent step S13 calculates a difference between the data sampled characteristics and the reference value envelope data at each sampling point to obtain a relation (a first ratio) of the difference with the reference value envelope data at the sampling point. An envelope of the first calculated ratios is stored in the RAM 46. Next, a step S14 determines whether such sampling is continued for the first wrapper of relation, related to the current narrowing state. When the input section 43 has entered a sample continuation signal, the program returns to step S12, while the program returns to a step S15 when the input section 43 has entered a sampling completion signal. Step S15 prints the sample ratio envelopes in a single graph, which is related to the current narrowing state. A subsequent step S16 determines whether such sampling is continued for the first relationship envelope, in relation to another sampling state. When the input section 43 has inputted a sampling continuation signal, the program returns to step S12, while the program leads to the end when the input section 43 has entered a program completion signal. The aforementioned process provides a printed result of a plurality of relationship envelopes respectively for a correct narrowing state and for each of the various incorrect narrowing states. These relationship wrappers are used to determine threshold lines and allowable percentage limits, as described above. Then, the terminal narrowing amount decision program of FIG. 15 is started, and a step S21 executes a process of pre-setting the envelope of the reference value. This reference value envelope pre-setting process presets the reference value envelope data which will be stored in the RAM 46 in the reference value wrap reading process of the Sil stage of the criteria pre-establishment program of decision The preset reference value wrap data is used for a narrowing quality decision process. Then, a step S22 executes an entry process for an operator to enter decision criteria including threshold line data and the allowable percentage limit described above. Then, a step S23 carries out the narrowing of a terminal and the characteristic data of the constriction samples to store the data in the RAM 46. Then, a step S24 makes the decision of acceptance or rejection of the constriction based on the envelope of reference value, the envelope of characteristic value, the singular points of the same, etc. When a reject decision (NG) is made, a step S25 transmits a signal that shows the presence of an unacceptable product, and a step S26 indicates the wrapper of its characteristic value and the rejection decision. Note that the signal that shows the presence of an unacceptable product, for example, can be used to generate an alarm by means of a device (not shown). When an acceptance decision (OK) is made, a step S26 indicates the envelope of characteristic value thereof and the acceptance decision. Then, a step S27 determines whether the narrowing will continue. When a continuation signal has been input, the program returns to step S23, and when a production completion signal has been input, the program comes to an end. As mentioned before, the fact of providing a pre-establishment program of decision criteria and the terminal narrowing quality decision program allows to easily establish in advance and a reliable decision of acceptance or rejection of the quality of narrowing. The incorrect narrowing detection device B mentioned above can be connected to a network system through the use of a communication interface 48. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 17, a plurality of terminal narrowing apparatuses A are connected, each with an incorrect narrowing detection device B to a processing computer C through a network N. Each device B of incorrect narrowing detection presets reference value envelope data which is transmitted to the processing computer C. The reference value wrap data is stored on a hard disk or the like which is provided on the processing computer C. The processing computer C handles each reference value data of each incorrect narrowing detection device B. further, each incorrect narrowing sensing device B can make a decision of a frictional wear state of a nipper (shirring 14 or anvil 17) that is provided in each terminal narrowing apparatus. This, when the constricting die is replaced by a new one, new reference value envelope data is obtained by performing a constricting operation to obtain a plurality of acceptable products. The new reference value envelope data is transmitted to the processing computer C through the network N and stored on the hard disk of the processing computer C. Each incorrect narrowing detection device B compares a present reference value envelope, which is preset before a narrowing operation of any product, with reference value envelope data stored in the processing computer C. This allows a decision to be made of a frictional wear state of the narrowing die. Between a new and an old narrowing die, there is a difference of the reference value envelopes thereof, for example, as illustrated in Figure 18. Both reference value envelopes overlap each other as indicated in display section 47, which allows a real-time decision of the frictional wear state of the narrowing die with ease. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently and reliably know the state of frictional wear of a narrowing die, which allows an efficient production of acceptable products in the narrowing of terminal quality. In addition, through the network N, the reference value envelope data can be transmitted between the plurality of incorrect narrowing detection devices B. The processing computer C makes it possible to know whether a present reference value envelope is satisfactory or not in a production section where a terminal narrowing apparatus A or an incorrect narrowing detection device B is provided. Meanwhile, a production management section having a processing computer C can perform a detailed production analysis in terms of quality. Therefore, for example, it is possible to replace a nipple before an abnormal state of the nipple occurs by analyzing the database which includes terminal times, electric wire sizes, repeated number of the narrowing operation, the states of frictional wear of the narrowing dies, the burning of narrowed cables and the characteristic value envelopes obtained in the terminal narrowing. The aforementioned embodiment is applied to a vertical narrowing stroke distance, that is, a detected vertical reflection value of the lower body HA of the ram 11 as a constricting feature. Alternatively, for example, as illustrated in Figure 19, a position detecting device 100 can be provided between the cover 1 constituting the upper and lower frames of the terminal narrowing apparatus and the side plate 3. Because the frames are bent by a reaction force against the constricting force of the terminal narrowing apparatus. Since the amount of deflection varies with the rigidity of the frames, this varies with the types of terminal narrowing apparatus. Each of the different terminal narrowing devices generally provides a different amount of deflection from the other. Note that a practical terminal narrowing apparatus provides such deflection which is used as a narrowing feature. The deflection is known when measuring the deflection of the frames of the terminal narrowing apparatus. further, a deflection detecting portion can be provided in the terminal detecting apparatus, for example, by providing a notch in the piston and crank mechanism having a spring-like operation similar to that of the mode ram. The above-mentioned position detecting device, which obtains the deflection value of the ram or the frame as a characteristic value, is less expensive than a load cell or a pressure sensor for detecting a load and allows a compact sensor thereof. Note that the deflection value is not necessarily measured just on a constriction operation axis, so that the deflection value is easily mechanically amplified. In addition, the position sensing device mentioned above can be mounted on an existing terminal narrowing apparatus. Instead of the position detecting device, an acceleration detector can be provided to measure the movement of the frames. The measurement is used as a wrapping characteristic value of narrowing, which provides a sufficient data set for differentiation of an acceptable product compared to an unacceptable product. In the modality, the second relation, which is a ratio of the number of abnormal potential points to the number of all the sampling points in each division, is obtained to find an incorrect narrowing product. When the second ratio is larger than the allowable percentage limit, it is determined that the product is unacceptable. Alternatively, another method can be prepared for an acceptance / rejection decision of a product. For example, a difference amount of the first ratio is obtained from the threshold at each sampling point, and all the amounts of difference within a division are summed to obtain the sum of all. In addition, the first relation of each sampling point within the division is obtained and the totality of the first relations are added within the division to obtain the sum of the first relations. A ratio is calculated of the sum of the difference quantities with respect to the sum of the first relations. An acceptance / rejection decision can be made based on whether the ratio is larger than a predetermined allowable limit. Note that an incorrect narrowing decision method according to the present invention is not limited to one described in the embodiment. For example, singular points can be obtained from a reference value envelope, and the singular points can be used to define divisions for the narrowing quality decision. In addition, all the characteristic values of a narrowing step within a division can be summed to obtain the sum of the characteristic values, and the sum of the characteristic values of the reference value envelope is obtained preparatoryly within the division . The comparison of both sums can be used for an acceptance / rejection decision of the product. This decision method is similar to a method in which an area circumscribed by a characteristic value envelope is compared to an area circumscribed by a reference value envelope. Note that the present invention can also be applied to any narrowing mechanism, which has a bent construction member by a reaction force for the constriction, in addition to the terminal narrowing apparatus of the mode in which the driving force is used of a servomotor for narrowing.

Claims (5)

1. A terminal narrowing quality decision method, for determining the quality of narrowing of a terminal which is constricted to a conductor of an electrical cable by a terminal narrowing apparatus, the method uses a wrapping of characteristic values obtained when the The terminal is narrowed to the conductor, where the characteristic values are obtained by detecting the deflection of a construction member constituted by the terminal narrowing apparatus and which is bent by a reaction force caused by the narrowing of the terminal.

2. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the terminal narrowing apparatus has a shirring and an anvil for tapering a terminal therebetween, the shirring engages a ram which is used as a construction member, the The ram is bent resiliently by a reaction force caused by the narrowing operation of the gatherer.

3. A terminal narrowing quality deciding device, for determining the quality of narrowing of a terminal which narrows to a conductor of an electrical cable by a terminal narrowing apparatus, the device utilizes a wrapping of characteristic values obtained when the The terminal is narrowed to the conductor, wherein the device has a characteristic value detector means for detecting the characteristic values, and characteristic values are obtained by detecting the deflection of a construction member constituting the terminal narrowing apparatus and bend by a reaction force caused by the narrowing of the terminal.

4. The device as described in the claim 3, wherein the terminal narrowing apparatus has a shirring and an anvil to narrow a terminal therebetween, the shirring engages a ram which is used as a construction member, the ram is resiliently bent by a reaction force caused by the narrowing operation of the gatherer.

5. The device as described in the claim 4, wherein the ram is formed with a notch which defines a top body, a bottom body and a connecting portion that connects the upper and lower bodies of the ram to allow a resilient deflection of the ram.